Craft beer had $1.3B economic impact on Ohio

Dayton is in the midst of an epic craft brewery boom. With a dozen of breweries in various stages of opening, beer drinkers are rejoicing. But it’s not just Dayton seeing the benefits of the beer business.

A recent report from the Brewers Association shows that the craft beer industry had a $1,3 billion impact on the state of Ohio in 2012.

“With a strong presence across the 50 states and the District of Columbia, craft breweries are a vibrant and flourishing economic force at the local, state and national level,” said Bart Watson, a staff economist for Brewers Association, in a press release. “As consumers continue to demand a wide range of high quality, full-flavored beers, small and independent craft brewers are meeting this growing demand with innovative offerings, creating high levels of economic value in the process.”

In Ohio, the labor income from the craft beer industry was more than $355 million, employing about 11,000 people.

Nationally, American craft brewers contributed $33.9 billion to the economy in 2012.